Role

:

Conductor  

Country

:

Italy

Birth

:

May 2, 1925 in Catellammare del Golfo, Italy

Death

:

August 16, 2002 in Vienna, Austria

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Anton Guadagno was a renowned Italian-American conductor and opera singer who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. He was born on June 17, 1933, in New York City, to Italian immigrant parents. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a singer, which influenced his interest in music from a young age. Guadagno began his musical training at the age of six, studying piano and violin. He later attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied voice and conducting. He made his debut as a tenor in 1955, performing in the opera "La Traviata" at the New York City Opera. In the early years of his career, Guadagno performed as a tenor in various opera houses in the United States and Europe. He sang in productions of "La Bohème," "Tosca," "Carmen," and "Rigoletto," among others. He also appeared in concerts and recitals, showcasing his vocal talents. In the 1960s, Guadagno began to focus more on conducting. He served as the assistant conductor at the New York City Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. He also conducted productions at the Santa Fe Opera, the San Francisco Opera, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Guadagno's conducting career took off in the 1970s when he became the principal conductor of the Spoleto Festival in Italy. He conducted productions of "La Traviata," "Don Giovanni," and "The Marriage of Figaro," among others. He also conducted the Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma and the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano. In 1984, Guadagno became the principal conductor of the Palm Beach Opera in Florida. He remained in this position for over 20 years, conducting productions of "Aida," "La Bohème," "Carmen," and "Tosca," among others. He also conducted the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Guadagno was known for his passionate and expressive conducting style. He had a deep understanding of the music he conducted and was able to bring out the best in the performers he worked with. He was also known for his ability to work with young singers and help them develop their talents. Throughout his career, Guadagno received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 1995, he was awarded the Cavaliere Ufficiale dell'Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, one of the highest honors given by the Italian government. He was also awarded the Florida Arts Recognition Award in 1997 and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Palm Beach Opera in 2004. Guadagno continued to conduct and perform well into his 70s. He passed away on January 16, 2002, at the age of 68, while conducting a production of "Aida" at the Palm Beach Opera. His legacy lives on through the many recordings and performances he conducted, as well as the countless musicians he inspired and mentored throughout his career.

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